LAS VEGAS — Superstar free agent starter Tarik Skubal, the dominant name and force in the free agent market, will sign sometime this month, ahead of the Dec. 1 lockout. He’s the headliner in what shapes up as a busy month.
Some agents worried earlier this week at the GM meetings that many teams would be sitting out the month, waiting to see how the new rules might affect their payrolls and pursuits. However, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said it’s “business as usual,” and it appears to be that way for most teams.
While completed major league deals so far can be counted on one hand, executives suggested talks were progressing at a typical or even somewhat quicker pace since they’d like to have much of their nucleus in place before the work stoppage, which might be lengthy.
The Skubal derby will move quicker than most superstar pursuits, with six teams — the Mets, Dodgers, Padres, Blue Jays and two unknown clubs — lined up to meet with the two-time Cy Young winner in Orange County, Calif., next week. Other top arms may go as well, considering the overwhelming demand and decent supply of top starters — especially compared to the unusually thin positional group.
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